SaskPower has now evaluated all submissions to the pre-qualifying phase of its Green Options (GO) Plan, to add 175 megawatts (MW) of wind power to Saskatchewan's electricity system.
Wind power developers were invited to respond to a request for qualifications issued by SaskPower late last year. To qualify, interested developers were asked to demonstrate their technical and operational experience, financial capabilities and propose an appropriate site for the location of their project. Twenty-one companies have qualified to participate in the next phase.
"Any new electricity we add to our system needs to meet strict requirements to ensure the safety, security and reliability of the entire grid," said Guy Bruce, vice-president, Planning, Environment and Regulatory Affairs. "Developers whose projects met the eligibility requirements will be invited to participate in phase two of the program, a request for proposals, later this year."
SaskPower expects the final projects selected to be in service between 2013 and 2015.
Pursuing emissions-free renewable power was one of the electricity supply options SaskPower identified when the corporation shared its future generation plans with the Legislative Assembly's Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies in late 2009 and early 2010. The Committee endorsed this approach in its final report, which was issued in April 2010.
In addition to the 175 MW through the GO Plan, SaskPower will be adding additional wind generation through the Green Options (GO) Partners Program. When the new wind generation is brought into service, wind power will make up about 8.5 per cent of SaskPower's total generating capacity - among the highest percentages in Canada. The expansion of wind power will reduce SaskPower's carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 225,000 tonnes a year.
SaskPower has been laying the foundation for the addition of more wind power by installing new natural gas generation, which provides an ideal backup when the wind isn't blowing.
For more details about the GO Plan or the GO Partners Program, visit saskpower.com.
